Malawi to Strengthen Chemical Waste Management
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change in Malawi is implementing a project to strengthen the country's chemical waste management system.
Lilongwe, Malawi - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change in Malawi is implementing a project to strengthen the country's chemical waste management system, writes Charles Mkoka.
The project, funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to improve the institutional capacity to plan, monitor, and coordinate the implementation of policies, strategies, and national programmes for the sound management of chemicals and waste.
"We noted that chemicals haven't had the limelight as much as other issues in general," said Caroline Theka, Chemical Waste Management Coordinator at the Environmental Affairs Department.
"Therefore, the project highlighted that chemicals are important and need to be managed properly to protect human health and the environment."
The project will establish an integrated information management system containing data for collecting, treating, and disposing of chemicals and waste in Malawi.
"We cannot live without chemicals, but we also need to manage them properly as humans," Theka said.
Veteran broadcaster Charles Chikapa welcomed the initiative, saying activities earmarked and planned needed a lot of awareness and visibility among the public to get buy-in and ensure they played their role in chemical and waste containment.
Malawi's regulatory framework for chemical waste management includes the Environment Management Act of 2017, the Environment Management (Chemicals and Toxic Substances Management) Regulations of 2008, and the Environment Management (Waste Management and Sanitation) Regulations of 2008 (currently under review).
These regulations aim to coordinate the management of chemicals and wastes effectively.
Additionally, Malawi has sectoral legislation that addresses different aspects of chemicals and associated wastes, with responsibilities resting within various government institutions according to their respective mandates.